Display package for jars and the like



Sept. 6, 1966 R. v. BURT 3,270,869

DISPLAY PACKAGE FOR JARS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 12, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Robert V. Bun

BY f

hold W m 12 ATTORNEY Sept. 6, 1966 R. v. BURT DISPLAY PACKAGE FOR JARS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 12. 1964 Fig. 9

INVENTOR. Robert V. Burt #7 BY/ L ATTORNEY Sept. 6, 1966 R. v. BURT 3,270,869

DISPLAY PACKAGE FUR JARS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 12, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 7

I M FNTOR. Robert V. Burt ATTORNEY United States Patent Ohio Filed Oct. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 403,215 3 Claims. (Cl. 206-4533) The present invention relates to a display package which is particularly suited for packaging jars and like objects. More particularly, it relates to a package composed of a rigid frame structure formed to support a jar or the like, said frame being overwrapped with a shrinkable transparent film to give the package added rigidity and to allow maximum display of the product therein.

The merchandising of products packed in jars is carried on in a number of different ways. Sometimes the jars are simply placed on display Without the benefit of a wrapper of any kind. Other times the product is packed and displayed in a carton so that no part of the jar can be visually inspected. In recent years, the use of display cartons has gained considerably in marketing products packed in jars. One of the major deficiencies of present display packages is the fact that they use relatively large amounts of expensive paperboard material. They are also burdened with complex folding, tucking and finishing procedures which add to their expense. In addition, present packages do not display a product packed in a jar to its maximum advantage. Conse quently, they do not permit a potential consumer to get a good visual impression of the product being sold.

It is a principal object of this invention to eliminate these deficiencies by providing an improved display package structure which is rigid while using a relatively small amount of paperboard or like material thereby achieving a very economical construction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved display package structure which is particularly well suited for engaging and supporting objects in the form of jars, the structure of the package being such that it can be formed on high speed packaging machinery thus making the package commercially feasible.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a new display package concept whereby practically the entire surface of the packaged jar is visible to a potential consumer thus allowing inspection of the packaged product at the point of purchase and giving the consumer an opportunity to compare and evaluate competitive products.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a package of the type heretofore set forth which is tamperproof, i.e. one from which the jar is not readily removed when on display.

The nature and substance of the invention can be briefly summarized as comprising a package made from a paperboard blank which is cut, scored and folded into a frame member having tubular supports on either side of its four wall forming panels. A central aperture is cut in the tubular supports formed along the top and bottom panels of the frame structure. The apertures are configured to receive an adapter member the cross sections of which are made to engage recesses in the base and cap, respectively, of the jar to be packaged. The apertures are cut so that the adapter members are rigidly supported therein. The end surfaces of the adapter members lie in superposed relation with the end walls to support the jar in spaced relation with respect to the panels forming the end walls. This provides a rigid supporting structure. The recesses in the base of the jar and in its cap are placed in engagement With the adapter members as the frame is folded into rectangular form. An end 3,270,869 Patented Sept. 6, 1966 ice flap extending from one end of the frame is secured to the opposite end of the frame to complete the frame around the jar. The frame is overwrapped with a transparent plastic film having heat shrinkable properties. The overwrap film is heated and shrunk to add substantially to the rigidity of the package structure and to assist in retaining the fiap in the completed package. The jar packed product within the package has its surfaces almost entirely exposed through the two open sides of the frame so that it can be readily examined by a potential consumer.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the frame blank of this invention in fiat form.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the frame blank of this invention after the tubular supports have been formed.

FIGURE 3 is a cross section taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 2 showing the adapter inserted in the apertures in the tubular supports, said adapter being provided to engage the recessed end of the jar cap.

FIGURE 4 is a cross section taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 2 showing the adapter inserted in the apertures in the tubular supports said adapter being provided to engage the recessed base of the jar.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the frame showing the side panels erected with respect to the bottom end panel wherein the frame is in jar receiving position.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary corner of the frame showing the interlocking construction of the tubular support elements on adjoining wall panels.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the finished package containing a jar wherein the frame has been overwrapped with a heat shrinkable film which has been heated and shrunk.

FIGURE 8 is a cross section taken on the line 88 of FIGURE 7 showing the manner in which the base of the jar and the top of its cap are held in the frame by means of the adapters inserted in the apertures cut in the tubular support elements. For convenience of illustration, the outer wrapper has been removed.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the adapter used for the cap of the jar.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of the adapter used for the base of the jar.

Reference will now be made to the drawings in describing the mode of carrying out the invention. A frame blank 10 in fiat condition is illustrated in FIGURE 1. The frame blank 10 is formed by cutting and scoring a suitable packaging material such as cardboard, paperboard, cartonboard, plastic, thin metal or the like. The frame blank 10 is divided successively into a flap 11, a top end panel 12, a side panel 13, a bottom end panel 14 and a side panel 15 by means of spaced horizontal parallel score lines 16 and 17 and vertical parallel transverse score lines 18, 19, 20 and 21. Extending portions 22, 23, 24 and 25 project upwardly from the score line 16. Similarly, extending portions 26, 27, 28 and 29 extend down- Wardly from the score line 17.

Each of the extending portions 22, 23, 24 and 25 are sub-divided by means of the horizontal score lines 30, 31 and 32 into an inner area 33, an inner intermediate area 34, an outer intermediate area 35 and an outer area 36. Similarly, the extending portions 26, 27, 28 and 29 are subdivided by the horizontal score lines 37, 38 and 39 into an inner area 40, an inner intermediate area 41, an outer intermediate area 42 and an outer area 43.

Angular relief cut-outs 44, 45 and 46 are provided between the extending portions 22, 23, 24 and 25. Similarly, angular relief cut-outs 47, 48 and 49 are provided between the extending portions 26, 27, 28 and 29. It will be noted that the angular relief cut-outs are formed by making a straight cut on the edges of the extending portions 22, 24, 26 and 28 projecting from the end panels 12 and 14, the cuts being aligned with the transverse scores 18, 19, 20 and 21. On the other hand, the extending portions 23, 25, 27 and 29 projecting from the side panels 13 and 15 are provide with a beveled cut extending in each case from the horizontal parallel scores 16 and 17 to the horizontal scores 30 and 37, respectively. The extending portions 23, 25, 27 and 29 are cut substantially perpendicular to the horizontal scores 30 and 37 outwardly of the aforesaid bevel cuts.

The extending portion 22 has an aperture 50 out therein. The aperture is formed on one side by a straight cut 51 coextensive with the score 31. The aperture 50 is further formed by the short straight cuts 52 and 53 extending inwardly to the score line 31 and an arcuate cut 54 wholly within the inner intermediate area 34. An aperture 55 having the identical shape and position as the aperture 50 is cut into the extending portion 26. The extending portion 24 is provided with an aperture 56 similar to the aperture 50 but of a different size. The extending portion 28 is provided with an aperture 57 identical in position and shape as the aperture 56. It will be noted that the arcuate cut in the apertures 50 and 55, 56 and 57 are substantially circular in form. As will be seen hereinafter, this shape has been selected primarily to receive a cap and jar with circular ends. Thus, it will be apparent that the apertures can be cut into any configuration depending entirely on the shape of the ends of the article to be held therein.

The extending portions 22 and 26 are geometrically identical as are the extending portions 23 and 27; 24 and 28: and also 25 and 29. The frame blank of FIGURE 1 is folded and formed into the shape as shown in FIGURE 2. This is accomplished by folding the extending portions 22, 23, 24, 25 on the score lines 30, 31 and 32 so that the outer area 36 on each of the extending portions lies in contiguous relationship to its respective panel 12, 13, 14 or 15. The extending portions 26, 27, 28 and 29 are similarly folded so that the outer area 43 on each of the extending portions is also contiguous to its respective panel 12, 13, 14 or 15. When so folded, the cross section of the frame will be shaped as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 with the outer intermediate areas 35 and 42 in substantially abutting relationship.

The outer areas 36 and 43 are adhered at 58 and 59, a

respectively, to the end panel 12 as shown in FIGURE 3. The outer areas 36 and 43 on all the extending portions are similarly adhered to their respective panels. The folding and adherence of the extending portions provides tubular supports 60 and 61 which lie, respectively, along each edge of the side and end panels 12, 13, 14 and 15. These tubular supports 60 and 61 are slightly spaced and are substantially rigid by the nature of their structure and by the rigidity of the material from which they are made.

As seen in FIGURE 3, the apertures 50, 55, 56 and 57 are principally cut from the inner intermediate areas 34 and 41 and the outer intermediate areas 35 and 42. This leaves openings 62 and 63 (FIGURE 2) in the completed frame blank. An adapter member 64 (FIGURE 9) is cut to conform to the opening 62 and is snugly fitted therein as seen in FIGURE 3. Similarly, an adapter member 65 (FIGURE 10) is cut to conform to the opening 63 and is snugly fitted therein as seen in FIGURE 4. The adapter members 64 and 65 can be made from a firm, relatively inexpensive material such as corrugated cardboard and like materials.

The completed frame of FIGURE 2 may be erected by folding and forming into the configuration shown in FIGURE 5. In doing so, the side panel is folded up at right angles with respect to the bottom end panel 14, and the side panel 13 is folded up into parallel relationship with respect to the side panel 15. After the jar 66 is placed over the adapter member 65, the top end panel 12 can then be folded on the score line 19 into closed position so that the adapter member 64 engages the cap 67. The flap 11 is tucked inside the side panel 15. The tucked position of the flap 11 can be adhered by means of an adhesive if necessary or it can be unadhered depending on the requirements of the particular package. As an alternate construction, the flap 11 can be placed against the outside of the panel 15 and adhered thereto by means of an adhesive. It will also be apparent that the flap 11 can extend from either end of the frame blank of FIGURE 1 without detracting from the advantages of the package structure.

FIGURE 6 illustrates the corner structure of the frame. It will be noted that the angular relief cut-out provided in the frame blank provides a structure wherein one of every two adjoining tubular supports is formed with a bevel edge. On erection, this provides a structure whereby the tubular supports 60 and 61 formed on the end panels 12 and 14 fit within the tubular supports 60 and 61 formed on the side panels 13 and 15. The ends of the tubular supports on the end panels 12 and 14 abut the side panels 13 and 15. An example is illustrated in FIGURE 6 with respect to the corner between the side panel 13 and the bottom panel 14. This provides added rigidity at the corners. It also insures a substantially square corner at each of the four corners of the package.

FIGURE 8 better illustrates the manner in which the jar and cap are supported in the package for maximum display after the top end panel 12 is folded in place and the flap 11 tucked as heretofore described. It will be noted that the jar 66 has a recess 68 which is engaged by the adapter 65. The adapter supports the bottle squarely to prevent it from bearing against the tubular supports 60 and 61. Similarly, the cap 68 has a recess 68a which is engaged by the adapter 64. The use of the adapters 64 and 65 in this fashion prevents distortion of the frame while snugly holding the jar and cap within the frame.

FIGURE 7 illustrates the frame structure overwrapped with a transparent plastic film material. The film material is preferably of the heat shrinkable type such as, for example, biaxially oriented polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like. The overwrap material is cut to size and then wrapped around the frame. It is sealed longitudinally along one side panel whereupon the tucks 69 and 70 are made. The final folds 71 and 72 are then formed and sealed against the end of the package. The other end of the package (not shown) has the ends of the wrapper similarly formed. The finished package is then subjected to sufficient heat to cause the overwrap film to shrink thereby greatly increasing the rigidity of the finished package structure and also retaining the flap 11 in the completed package. The use of a shrink film overwrap also makes possible the use of a frame element in which the flap 11 has been eliminated. The use of a transparent plastic shrink film allows inspection of the entire jar from the two sides of the open frame.

Throughout this description, the package has been described as applied to the packaging of a capped jar. It will be understood that other articles, e.g. bottles, cans, etc., can be held in the frame by the structural elements disclosed herein and in the claims appended hereto. As a consequence, the term jar as used herein will be understood to include other articles which can be held in the display package in the manner heretofore described and hereinafter claimed.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A package for a jar comprising a frame, said frame being formed from a frame blank made of paperboard material and generally configured in the form of an elongated strip, said frame blank having two spaced parallel scores running longitudinally from one end of said elongated strip to the other end thereof, a plurality of transverse scores at intervals along the said frame blank and being substantially perpendicular to said parallel longitudinal scores thereby dividing the central portion of the frame blank into four panels including two side panels and two end panels, said side and end panels being alternatively spaced along said frame blank, a flap articulated to and extending beyond the panel at one end of said frame blank, an extending portion projecting laterally outwardly from each of the longitudinal scores which define the edge portions of the said panels, each of said extending portions being at least partially separated by angular relief cut-outs outwardly of each of said transverse scores, each of said extending portions having three score lines all of which are parallel to the parallel scores running longitudinally from one end of said elongated strip to the other, said three score lines dividing the extending portions into an inner area, an inner intermediate area, an outer intermediate area and an outer area, each of said extending portions being folded into a tubular support with the outer area of each extending portion being adhered to its adjoining panel so that each side and end panel has a pair of spaced substantially rigid tubular supports in parallel relationship alongside the longitudinal scores forming the upper and lower extremities of said side and end panels, said tubular supports being formed so that the outer intermediate area of each is in substantially abutting relationship, an aperture cut in both tubular supports extending from the end panels to form an opening therein, an adapter member shaped to conform to the configuration of each of said openings and being inserted therein so that one end of each adapter rests on the outer area of the tubular supports adhered to the end panels, a jar, a c ap on said jar, said jar having a recessed base, said cap having a recessed top, said adapter members engaging the recess in the base of the jar at one end and the recess in the cap at the other end so that the cap and jar are firmly supported in spaced relation with respect to the end panels, said side and end panels being folded into a substantially rectangular frame by folding the said frame blank on said transverse scores so that the said tubular sup ports face inwardly and said cap and base of said jar are supported by said adapter members without obscuring the side surfaces of the jar and cap, said flap at one end of said frame blank being secured on the panel at the opposite end of said frame blank to complete the frame structure around said jar, said frame structure being overwrapped with a flexible and heat shrinkable plastic film, said film being heated and shrunk on said frame structure to impart greater rigidity to said frame structure and to retain said secured flap in the completed package.

2. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apertures cut in the tubular supports have a straight edge coextensive with the score line separating the outer intermediate area and the outer area, the portion of the aperture extending into the inner intermediate area being cut to conform to the configuration of the adapter members.

3. A package as claimed in claim 2 wherein the angular relief cut-outs are cut in a straight line extending from the transverse scores on each of the extending portions projecting from the top end panel and the bottom end panel, the other side of the angular relief cut-out being cut on a line running at a bevel from the longitudinal horizontal scores to the score separating the inner area from the inner intermediate area, said second line being parallel to the transverse scores beyond the score line separating the inner area from the inner intermediate area.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,321,063 6/1943 Bohnke 21752 2,486,711 11/1949 Harris 20646 3,082,864 3/1963 Silver 229-14 3,116,154 12/1963 Rumsey.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR., Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,270,869 September 6, 1966 Robert V. Burt It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, line 15, for "alternatively" read alternately column 6, line 10, for "on" read to Signed and sealed this 1st day of August 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER, JR.

Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents 

1. A PACKAGE FOR A JAR COMPRISING A FRAME, SAID FRAME BEING FORMED FROM A FRAME BLANK MADE OF PAPERBOARD MATERIAL AND GENERALLY CONFIGURED IN THE FORM OF AN ELONGATED STRIP, SAID FRAME BLANK HAVING TWO SPACES PARALLEL SCORES RUNNING LONGITUDINALLY FROM ONE END OF SAID ELONGATED STRIPS TO THE OTHER END THEREOF, A PLURALITY OF TRANSVERSE SCORES AT INTERVALS ALONG THE SAID FRAME BLANK AND BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID PARALLEL LONGITUDINAL SCORES THEREBY DIVIDING THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE FRAME BLANK INTO FOUR PANELS INCLUDING TWO SIDE PANELS AND TWO END PANELS, SAID SIDE AND END PANELS BEING ALTERNATIVELY SPACED ALONG SAID FRAME BLANK, A FLAP ARTICULATED TO AND EXTENDING BEYOND THE PANEL AT ONE END OF SAID FRAME BLANK, AN EXTENDING PORTION PROJECTING LATERALLY OUTWARDLY FROM EACH OF THE LONGITUDINAL SCORES WHICH DEFINE THE EDGE PORTIONS OF THE SAID PANELS, EACH OF SAID EXTENDING PORTIONS BEING AT LEAST PARTIALLY SEPARATED BY ANGULAR RELIEF CUT-OUTS OUTWARDLY OF EACH OF SAID TRANSVERSE SCORES, EACH OF SAID EXTENDING PORTIONS HAVING THREE SCORE LINES ALL OF WHICH ARE PARALLEL TO THE PARALLEL SCORES RUNNING LONGITUDINALLY FROM ONE END OF SAID ELONGATED STRIP TO THE OTHER, SAID THREE SCORE LINES DIVIDING THE EXTENDING PORTIONS INTO AN INNER AREA, AN INNER INTERMEDIATE AREA, AN OUTER INTERMEDIATE AREA AND AN OUTER AREA, EACH OF SAID EXTENDING PORTIONS BEING FOLDED INTO A TUBULAR SUPPORT WITH THE OUTER AREA OF EACH EXTENDING PORTION BEING ADHERED TO ITS ADJOINING PANEL SO THAT EACH SIDE AND END PANEL HAS A PAIR OF SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID TUBULAR SUPPORTS IN PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP ALONGSIDE THE LONGITUDINAL SCORES FORMING THE UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITIES OF SAID SIDE AND END PANELS, SAID TUBULAR SUPPORTS BEING FORMED SO THAT THE OUTER INTERMEDIATE AREA OF EACH IS IN SUBSTANTIALLY ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP, AN APERTURE CUT IN BOTH TUBULAR SUPPORTS EXTENDING FROM THE END PANELS TO FORM AN OPENING THEREIN, AN ADAPTER MEMBER SHAPED TO CONFORM TO THE CONFIGURATION OF EACH OF SAID OPENINGS AND BEING INSERTED THEREIN SO THAT ONE END OF EACH ADAPTER RESTS ON THE OUTER AREA OF THE TUBULAR SUPPORTS ADHERED TO THE END PANELS, A JAR, A CAP ON SAID JAR, SAID JAR HAVING A RECESSED BASE, SAID CAP HAVING A RECESSED TOP, SAID ADAPTER MEMBERS ENGAGING THE RECESS IN THE BASE OF THE JAR AT ONE END AND THE RECESS IN THE CAP AT THE OTHER END SO THAT THE CAP AND JAR ARE FIRMLY SUPPORTED IN SPACED RELATION WITH RESPECT TO THE END PANELS, SAID SIDE AND END PANELS BEING FOLDED INTO A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR FRAME BY FOLDING THE SAID FRAME BLANK ON SAID TRANSVERSE SCORES SO THAT THE SAID TUBULAR SUPPORTS FACE INWARDLY AND SAID CAP AND BASE OF SAID JAR ARE SUPPORTED BY SAID ADAPTER MEMBERS WITHOUT OBSCURING THE SIDE SURFACES OF THE JAR AND CAP, SAID FLAP AT ONE END OF SAID FRAME BLANK BEING SECURED ON THE PANEL AT THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID FRAME BLANK TO COMPLETE THE FRAME STRUCTURE AROUND SAID JAR, SAID FRAME STRUCTURE BEING OVERWRAPPED WITH A FLEXIBLE AND HEAT SHRINKABLE PLASTIC FILM, SAID FILM BEING HEATED AND SHRUNK ON SAID FRAME STRUCTURE TO IMPART GREATER RIGIDITY TO SAID FRAME STRUCTURE AND TO RETAIN SAID SECURED FLAP IN THE COMPLETED PACKAGE. 